20 The aratoga aratoga Midnight Bisou part of monster Saturday card Saturday monster Midnight of part Bisou Clockwork Saratoga’s RacingNewspapersince2001 Year 20•No.6Saturday, August1,2020

Alex Evers/Eclipse Sportswire 2 The Saratoga Special Saturday, August 1, 2020 The Stretch. Breaking The Rules gets low and leads late in Wednesday’s ninth. Tod Marks Tod

“No, the cake is baked.” Trainer Al Stall, on whether he going to paddock school here&there...in racing Whitney favorite Tom’s d’Etat Thursday or Friday Presented by Shadwell Farm “Great line though. Now I want cake.” NAMES OF THE DAY 46: Winning percentage of the Whitney field. Combined, Photographer Susie Raisher, who thought she might catch they’ve won 41 of 90 lifetime starts. Tom’s d’Etat paddock schooling False Alarm, third race. The 3-year-old gelding, who races for Monty Foss and John Moirano, is by Drill out of Expect 269: Percent handle increase on Day 11 at Saratoga in 2020 “Come back to my therapy bench anytime.” Nothing. versus 2019. In the spirit of Paul Harvey, now for the rest of Trainer to The Special’s Tom Law the story: Only four races were run July 25, 2019 and NYRA after a socially distanced Stable Tour , ninth race. The California-based Whitney runner canceled the final seven races of the day. Handle that day was under one of his weeping willow trees is out of Rare Event. $3,827,796 compared to $14,124,553. “He doesn’t like that bench, he loves that bench.” No Parole, 10th race. Owned by Maggi and Greg Tramontin, Clement’s son and assistant Miguel Clement the H. Allen Jerkens starter is by Violence out of Plus One. LICENSE PLATE OF THE DAY YOICKS, Virginia. The plate on Readers Club member Jack “My two neighbors are two young guys, Shug McGaughey and Hutcheson’s Subaru (with Readers Club sticker just below) is Bill Mott. I put up with them.” BY THE NUMBERS the cry used by the huntsman to encourage foxhounds. Clement, about his Hall of Fame neighbors 4: Starts in the (after today) for Sadler’s Joy, who was third in 2017 and 2018 and sixth last year. His “As they say, drive Japanese during the week and German on combined losing margin is 2 ¼ lengths. WORTH REPEATING the weekends.” “How come I’m not on your guys’ email list?” Chris Ambrose, when looking at Marylou Whitney’s Jaguar 40: Years since a fire ripped through Rockingham Park July Trainer David Cannizzo (you are now) 29, 1980; thanks to longtime reader Robert Cutler for the his- “I don’t think I’ll ever top it, but we will not stop trying.” tory lesson. “New look is absolutely top drawer writing. Well done.” Trainer Ken McPeek, on buying future Owner, breeder, veterinarian and reader Bill Wilmot Hall of Famer Curlin at September

The Saratoga Editors/Publishers/Owners: Sean Clancy: (302) 545-7713. [email protected] Joe Clancy: (302) 545-4424. [email protected] Managing Editor: Tom Law: (859) 396-9407. [email protected] Writers/Copy Editors: Photography: Tod Marks. Handicappers: Paul Halloran, Terry Hill, Mary Eddy, Charles Bedard, John Shapazian, ST Publishing, Inc. 364 Fair Hill Drive, Suite F, Elkton, MD 21921. Marketing: Samantha Loud. (410) 392-5867 Nolan Clancy, Ryan Clancy. Rob Whitlock. thisishorseracing.com The Saratoga Special, thisishorseracing.com, Racing Calendar, The Best of The Saratoga Special, 2020 publication dates: Wednesdays and Saturdays July 18-Sept. 5. New York Thoroughbred Breeders work, Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred and a whole lot more. Plus Opening Day July 16 & Season Wrap-up Sept. 12. Call us about your editorial needs.

Saturday, August 1, 2020 The Saratoga Special 3 here&there...in racing Presented by Shadwell Farm WORTH REPEATING “I had to go to Schenectady High School to get a work permit so I could work under 16.” Keith Asmussen about his first summer working in Saratoga

“He does a pretty good job of suppressing it, you can tell he gets pretty wound up before a race. He’s an unbelievable coach and horseman, I can’t think of a better teacher. As far as pre-race instructions, they’re limited. Be safe, have fun, on top of a couple minute instructions.” Asmussen, about his father/trainer Steve

“Clark Brewster asked me after Keith James rode his first race, ‘Did you look like that on your first one?’ I said, ‘Clark, I didn’t look like that on my last one.’ He takes after his grandfather and his uncle, not his dad.” Trainer about his son’s riding career

“I still have my complete set of the 2001 editions when I was an obsessed Point Given fan, and you ran several great stories about The Big Red Train rolling into Saratoga. I remember at the end of the meet coming into your one-room office on Broadway and asking if I could pick up copies of the editions I was missing. I have never seen so many exhausted people. You were barely twitching!” Longtime reader Della Micah

“We know you guys need content to keep this ball rolling so happy to do whatever you need.” Owner Kirk Wycoff when asked for an interview Thursday

“The first day is a little eerie, a little disconcerting.” Wycoff on Saratoga 2020 Tod Marks A Miler. Jockey Luis Cardenas gets in some work on the main track before Wednesday’s “Saratoga, the racing here is a special thing. This year is obviously a lot different but the races card of races. are still special races and if you’re lucky enough to be able to participate in them it makes it that much more special.” Trainer Shug McGaughey The Chief POETRY CORNER “I asked Mr. Vanderbilt one time, ‘Boy, how did they run We need a horse like Tiz the Law The one at Belmont that I saw. horses so much back then?’ He said, ‘We didn’t think And wouldn’t it be grand anything of it, we thought racehorses should be racing, If he won the Travers for his fans? If he wins, with hands down we had horses and we ran them.’ would breeze Will he win the Triple Crown? a mile in the morning, get a train in the afternoon and go This is all, but premature But many fans are more than sure. to Suffolk Downs, Chicago, wherever he was going.” – Peter Finley – Trainer H. Allen Jerkens, 1929-2015 ������� ������� ����� ����� ����� ������� ������ �� ������ ���� Chair, Equine & Racing Law 516-741-6565 | [email protected]

New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association �e�resen�n� o�ners, trainers, breeders, jockeys, dri�ers and horse�en associa�ons in business transac�ons and www.nytha.com �a�ers before the �e� �ork �tate �a�in� �o��ission 516.488.2337 and in the federal and state courts.

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4 The Saratoga Special Saturday, August 1, 2020 & in racing QUOTE OF THE DAY here there... “He gets it from his mother. I promise.” Presented by Shadwell Farm Trainer Steve Asmussen, POSTCARD TO SARATOGA after being complimented on his son Keith’s manners Everybody’s in Florida. The family, thank God, we’re all good. I can’t complain, but I wish I was in New York. I miss Saratoga a lot, a lot. Lucy misses it, she’s working for Dennis (Zoitos, owner of the Morning Line Kitchen) here. I’ve been coming to Saratoga for a week the last few years. It’s so worrisome when you don’t see any crowd at Saratoga. Saratoga is my favorite meet. My first meet was with 800-523-8143 Mike Hushion, ever since then it was with the Chief. The best memory has to be the last Grade 1 the Chief won with Emma’s Encore. It seems like every video they ONE LUCKY DIVA played, we came out of the winner’s circle hugging each A racehorse makes many stops on the way to the track – foaling barn, weanling field, yearling other. It was big. I have three pictures of him in my of- prep, sales ring, training farm – and meets just as many people, but there are moments that fice, sometimes I’m tempted to take them down because I miss him more when I see those matter in a life. pictures. For champion Midnight Bisou, the morning-line favorite in today’s at Sara- I was just telling one of my grooms, one year at Saratoga, we didn’t win any races and toga, one moment came May 14, 2010 at Pimlico Race Course. somebody put a duck in the car, a fake duck. He got mad. We ran a horse, Brampton, she had Her dam, Diva Delite, went into stall nine in the starting gate for the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes just tied up. I said, ‘She isn’t going to run any good.’ He said, ‘Trust me, she looks better now the day before Lookin At Lucky won the Preakness and was in the midst of rallying into conten- than she did.’ She won, it was our only winner at the meet. Cornelio Velasquez. tion on the far turn when she clipped heels and fell hard. Rival CC’s Pal came off the rail at the I miss everything, from the backside to the people to the racing to the corn they sell. Win- five-sixteenths pole in the Grade 2 stakes and into the path of Diva Delite. In a flash, the daughter ning a race there, passing the crowd and walking into the winner’s circle…nothing feels better. of Repent fell – hard. Seeking The Title collided with the fallen filly and lost her jockey. Though he Nothing. rode the next day (and won the aboard Rainbow View) Julien Leparoux, aboard Diva – Fernando Abreu Delite, wound up with a compression fracture in his back and missed more than two months. Covered in Pimlico’s dirt, Diva Delite got up and galloped through the stretch. She bowed a A former assistant to Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens, Fernando Abreu trains 20 horses from his tendon in the incident, never raced again. As a broodmare, she found stardom. Her second foal Gulfstream Park base. to race, Midnight Bisou has earned $7.3 million and counting. Diva Delite sold for $750,000 in 2018 and $1.2 million last year, but she got lucky at Pimlico in 2010. So did racing. – Joe Clancy

Saturday, August 1, 2020 The Saratoga Special 5 Tod Marks Stakes winner Decorated Invader (after his with maiden win last year) helped the Clement barn get off to a quick start this summer. Christophe Clement Christophe Clement keeps his long most recently taking the First Defense Stakes wooden “therapy bench” under one at Belmont. He finished second to Breaking of the two weeping willow trees in The Rules in an optional claimer here Wednes- his courtyard between Barns 80 and day. “Ran a good race. He’s a horse we know 81 on Saratoga’s Oklahoma Training well since I bred him actually, with my partner (Dick Leahy). My partner races him. He got Track. beat by the horse of Shug’s who was just too He loves the shaded spot which, good. Same story, we’ll train him and Gucci depending on the time of day, could Factor for the West Point. Therapist is dead provide just the right respite from the fit we just have to keep him happy for his next rigors of the racetrack. Clement or the race. That was the toughest allowance I’ve members of his team probably don’t seen for many years. Not many months, many have much use for it in that way just years in New York. It was a good race.” over a quarter of the way into the Gucci Factor: Castleton Lyons’ gelding by 2020 Saratoga meet, which could not won the 2019 Grade 3 Poker and have gotten off to a much better start. most recently started in the Grade 2 Clement heads into today’s Whit- at Belmont, where he ran into trouble and did ney Day card atop the trainer stand- not finish. “He hasn’t run for a while, he’s doing ings with 13 wins, including graded very well and is still down at Belmont but will stakes triumphs with Decorated In- come up here in the coming week.” vader and Speaktomeofsummer and three other stakes victories. Fresco: Oak Bluff’s homebred 3-year-old “Let’s stay humble,” Clement said Pure Sensation: The veteran. Florida-bred gelding made daughter of Freud broke her maiden in the Statue of Liberty division of the New York Stallion Series Thursday morning of the hot start. “The main his 2020 debut in the Grade 1 Jaipur Stakes at June 20 and finished seventh. Patricia Generazio’s homebred Stakes at Saratoga July 23. “She ran well, broke her maiden thing is when things are going well to be grateful, in a stakes. I’m entertaining the idea of running her against the has won the Grade 3 Turf Monster Handicap four times, won one, to your owners who send you fast horses and colts, (in the Cab Calloway division of the Stallion Series Aug. or placed in 26 of his 37 starts and earned $2,001,050. “He’s two, to your team. They all work amazingly tough. 6), very quickly. I’ll run her right back. It’s a restricted stakes 9 years old, wound up in a speed duel in the Jaipur which was It’s a tough life and they work very, very hard and again and you don’t have that kind of race all the time. I’ve got annoying. He seems to be doing well so we’ll give it another to speak to the owner and as long as he agrees the plan would I’m very grateful to them. try. He’s very good. This year I’m struggling a little bit. I don’t “I’m lucky because most of my owners have been be to run her right back against the boys. When they’re doing know if it’s his age catching up or just bad luck, I don’t know. well you might as well squeeze the lemon dry a little bit.” with me a long time, which is great. It’s nice when it The next race is a big deal because he’s got to run well in order works out. And nothing happens if you don’t have for me to justify to go on. I think they’re going to bring some Call Me : Runner-up to Starship Jubilee in the Grade 2 the right horse. And for that you have to thank the of the stakes back to Parx in September, he loves Parx, so the Ballston Spa, the English-bred daughter of Sea The Stars is a owners.” plan is to give him one race here and then go for some of the Group 2 winner in Italy and placed in two of her three American Clement won his first race as a trainer in 1991, stakes there.” starts, all of them graded stakes races. “She ran a great race in and has since added more than 2,000 additional the Ballston Spa. She was beaten at the eighth pole and came wins including a classic victory with in the Classic Lady: Winner of Wednesday’s Dayatthespa Stakes, back by the wire, I thought she’d have a chance to squeeze 2014 . Clement’s 40-strong Sarato- the daughter of Jimmy Creed sold for $22,500 at the 2016 past at the wire, she didn’t but ran a good race. The filly who Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale and has ga string features everything from the recent stakes beat us (Starship Jubilee) was the best filly in Canada all year won or been runner-up in her last eight starts. “As long as she last year, the filly who finished third was the best in New York, winners, veterans and youngsters that include flashy keeps training forward she’ll go to the Yaddo. That’s a logical debut 2-year-old maiden winner Momos. Sistercharlie. Call Me Love is obviously a top-class horse. I spot. We’d be foolish not to have a good look at it being a New haven’t won a graded stakes with her and it would be great to He talked about several members of the team York-bred stakes and she just won the stakes.” do so. We’ve got to have a look at the Diana and there’s more with The Special’s Tom Law as training wound races coming up, something like the Noble Damsel or Athenia down Thursday on the Oklahoma. Wegetsdamunnys: Third to Classic Lady in the Dayatthes- at Belmont. But we’ll train her for the Diana and go from there. pa. She’s won five of 21 starts, including a win and a third It will be a tough race with horses like Rushing Fall in there. Shekky Shebaz: Third in the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint in her three starts this year. Another potential Yaddo starter. Welcome to New York.” for Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables and Bethlehem Stables, the “She and Classic Lady have been consistent and fun fillies to 5-year-old son of Cape Blanco won the Lucky Coin Stakes here be around, and at that level they should be very competitive.” Cariba: Allowance winner last time out, she’s entered in to- last summer and has $382,400 in earnings. “He’s going in the day’s Caress Stakes. A $400,000 yearling purchase by Chey- Troy. Just came back from a third in a stakes at Monmouth and Therapist: Graded stakes-placed homebred for Oak Bluff Continued On Page 7 if he keeps training well we’ll go there.” Stables and Clement has won seven stakes in his 18 starts,

6 The Saratoga Special Saturday, August 1, 2020 Stable Tour – Continued from page 6 enne Stables, the Cairo Prince filly has won two races in seven starts. “She won an a-oth- er-than impressively at Belmont Park and we’re being a bit aggressive and I put her in a stakes. She’s trained very well and I’ll give her a shot. I hope she’s good enough. It’s a very good race. My mare is OK. She ran very well at Belmont, the filly who finished second (Peace- ful) came back and won here impressively. She’s a beautiful looking mare. Let’s give it a shot, I’ve got Irad Ortiz as her rider and if she finished in the first three I would be delighted. Tod Marks As long as you’ve got a good performance it Christophe Clement leads the Saratoga would be great.” trainers’ standings with 13 wins. Stakes at Delaware Park July 4. He’s only lost Mr. Alec: Ghislaine Head’s 4-year-old geld- one of his five career starts and has won four ing by Mr. Sidney broke his maiden at Belmont in a row. Worked a half in :50.90 on the Okla- in September and is searching for his first win homa turf Friday. “He and Decorated Invader since in Sunday’s third going 11 furlongs on are both very exciting horses, proven stakes the grass. “He’s an older horse doing well. horses, proven graded stakes horses at the He’d be competitive in whatever spot I ran moment. They’re both being trained right now him in here. He’s in the allowance a-other-than for the Saratoga Derby in mid-August.” Sunday.” Decorated Invader: Multiple graded Shore Magic: Waterford Stables’ home- stakes winner for West Point , bred 4-year-old colt by Medaglia d’Oro is also William Freeman, William Sandbrook and entered in Sunday’s third. He makes first start Cheryl Manning won the Grade 2 National after a six-month layoff. “He’s been training Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes July very forwardly. He had a bit of a breathing 18 and is undefeated in 2020. He’s won five of operation over the winter and is doing well seven, including the Grade 1 Summer Stakes now. He has not run for a while and we’ve at Woodbine as a 2-year-old. “Top class. Top been waiting for a race for quite a while in class horse. He’s going to work (Friday, a half New York.” in :50.60 on the Oklahoma turf) and the fol- lowing Friday and then we’ll make a final de- Speaktomeofsummer: Improved off cision which one runs. But at the moment the fourth in Grade 3 Wonder Again in sophomore two of them will run in the Saratoga Derby.” debut to win the Grade 2 Lake Placid July 19. Waterford Stable’s 3-year-old Summer Front Shamrocket: Donegal Racing’s $130,000 filly could go in the $500,000 Saratoga Oaks yearling purchase broke his maiden June 12 at Invitational Aug. 16. “I would need to think Belmont and finished second in his first start about it because of the timing. We will keep against winners July 9. “While they might not it open. Instead of me, we’ll let her tell us and be as proven as Decorated Invader and Gufo see what happens.” he and City Man are on their way to being stakes horses. Shamrocket came from a sec- Turf War: Stakes-winning 4-year-old filly by ond at Belmont, a really strong performance. War Front finished third in an optional claimer He’ll come back here and is training well at the here July 17. A $425,000 purchase by Martin moment.” Schwartz at the 2017 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling sale, she won last fall’s Chris- City Man: Owned by Reeves Thoroughbred tiecat Stakes at Belmont. “She went very well Racing’s and Patty and Peter Searles, the colt the other day. She’s competitive and should by won the Funny Cide be tough next time also in Saratoga. She’s a Stakes last summer at Saratoga and has fin- sprinter on the grass.” ished fourth in his last four starts. Fasig-Tip- ton Saratoga mixed sale graduate had his first Gufo: Otter Bend Stables’ 3-year-old colt by Declaration Of War won the Grade 3 Kent Continued On Page 8

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Saturday, August 1, 2020 The Saratoga Special 7 Flying With Angels: Unraced colt by was purchased by West Point and Larsen for $500,000 at last year’s Stable Tour – Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling sale. He has been work- Continued from page 7 ing at Saratoga, most recently breezing a half in in :48.55 July 25. “He’s training forwardly. He seems straightforward and will Saratoga breeze July 27, going a half-mile on the Oklahoma in run in the latter part of the meet.” :48.90. “He’s a New York-bred, he was good enough to ship to Kentucky where he finished fourth in the Transylvania, got beat Plum Ali: Winner of a maiden special weight on debut here nothing. I will have to make a decision, there’s the Albany on July 23. A $65,000 yearling, the daughter of First Samurai is dirt, but I will probably run him before that. Between 2 and 3 owned by Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables and Bethlehem Sta- years old he’s improving. They both are improving. It’s always bles. “We won with her, first time out on the turf first time go- nice when they’re improving at this time of year.” ing long. She’s one we would consider for the P.G. Johnson.”

Sandro The Great: Gallagher’s Stud’s homebred 3-year- Venerable: Owned by Jump Sucker Stable, old colt by Empire Maker out of multiple graded stakes-placed and Adele Dilschneider, 2-year-old colt cost $410,000 mare Maximova is still searching for his first win after finishing as a yearling and makes debut in today’s opener. Breezed from second in a maiden special weight here July 17. “He should be the gate July 22, going 5 furlongs in 1:01.11. “He runs for a competitive when we get the chance to run him against New partnership. Trained very forwardly and I’m excited to see him York-breds on the turf. He’s better on the grass, let’s put him run.” back on it.” Classic Colors: Two-year-old filly by , a Momos: Two-year-old son of broke his $170,000 purchase at Fasig-Tipton New York-bred yearling maiden by 6 1/2 lengths first time out in a maiden special sale, had her first start July 11 at Belmont and finished sev- weight here July 18 for Ironhorse Racing Stable and Secure enth. “She ran very disappointing at Belmont first time out, Investments. “He was impressive, very fast in the morning, so which was a surprise because she had also trained well. I think we knew he could run. He’s being trained for the Saratoga Spe- I got the surface wrong so we’ll try her on the turf next time. cial at the moment, which is very aggressive because it’s only She’s OK. She’ll come back in a New York-bred maiden special three weeks between races. But I think he’s a sprinter, a very weight long on the turf.” fast horse. Everybody says, ‘Are you going for the Hopeful?’ I don’t see the point of stretching him, if he’s fast we might as Delaware Destiny: The Elkstone Group’s 2-year-old Ex- well keep him short. There are very few races over the next 60 aggerator filly makes debut in Sunday’s opener. A $100,000 days going short. I’m doing everything I can to bring him to the weanling purchase, she’s out of the Grade 3-winning Smarty Saratoga Special. I will call the owner after and I guess we’ll Jones mare Nikkis Smartypants. “She’s one we like. New York- Tod Marks make a decision over the weekend but the plan will be to go to bred 2-year-old fillies going long on the turf. She’s ready to Classic Lady won the Dayatthespa Stakes Wednesday. the Saratoga Special.” run.”

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Saturday, August 1, 2020 The Saratoga Special 9 WHITNEY STAKES PREVIEW Tall Tom Saratoga veteran tops stacked edition of signature stakes BY TOM LAW Al Stall Jr. leaned against the clubhouse box railing above the finish and touched the screen of his iPhone while Tom’s d’Etat worked alongside a stablemate not long after daybreak eight days out from today’s Grade 1 Whitney Stakes. Stall watched and tapped splits as Tom’s d’Etat and loomed outside Skamania and ex- ercise rider Olha Krushevska around the turn and into the lane, quickly making up the short deficit they started with on the backstretch, pulling even and eventually a couple lengths in front at the fin- ish. Tom’s d’Etat continued to draw off after the Tod Marks Continued On Page 12 Favored in today’s Whitney, Tom’s d’Etat looks for his fifth consecutive win.

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Saturday, August 1, 2020 The Saratoga Special 11 joy himself, get acclimated and used to the new, new surface. Start at the Whitney – half-mile pole, let him gallop out, Continued from page 10 that kind of deal, let him know he’s a racehorse. I’m confident that he’s finish and into the clubhouse turn, run really well with a schedule like eventually galloping out more than that.” 10 lengths ahead by the time the pair Tom’s d’Etat worked like the pro- hit the backstretch. fessional he’s become after several Stall, who sends out Tom’s d’Etat physical setbacks early in his career for owner G M B Racing in today’s that eventually cleared up and al- Grade 1 Whitney Stakes, looked at lowed him to realize the potential the screen of his phone when the his connections saw back in 2014 work was complete and saw what when they paid $330,000 for him at he’s come to expect from the 7-year- the Keeneland September yearling old son of Smart Strike. sale. “I’ve got some beautiful num- Stall met Tom’s d’Etat and Rosa- bers,” Stall said, the clubhouse floor- rio on the horse path near the 1863 boards creaking while he and long- Club and immediately liked what he time assistant Pam Fitzgerald walked saw. Tom’s d’Etat loped along on down the steps. the path, looking like a horse about The stopwatch read :48.69, to start his work and not one who 1:01.15 and 1:14 and some change. just finished. When he reached the clockers up- Tod Marks Code Of Honor tries to turn a Travers-Whitney double for Will Farish and Shug McGaughey. “Look at him, now he’s wonder- stairs he got word the official work ing when he’s going to eat,” Stall went in :48.28 for the half and gal- more than that, but that’s also come to be expected. said before catching Rosario’s eye. loping out 5 furlongs in 1:01.22 and 6 furlongs in “I’ve learned over the years, we worked him “Everything OK? Listo?” 1:14.28. twice in between the Fayette and the Clark and “Pretty good, right?” Rosario said. Stall said he was looking for “nothing much” that worked out well,” Stall said of back-to-back Ready, too. Listo. out of the work for the Whitney’s 6-5 morning-line victories last fall in Kentucky that started Tom’s “He looked great,” Stall said. “He’ll just be wor- favorite who brings a four-race win streak to one d’Etat’s current win streak. “He worked before he Continued On Page 14 of Saratoga’s signature races. The trainer got a bit left Churchill. So we just let him come up here, en- THE STREETS ARE PAVED WITH Curlin and DIRTBernardini have sired two Graded Stakes-winning colts on dirt in 2020. So has Into Mischief. and Uncle Mo are on three. The clear leader, out on his own on four, is Street Sense. Senseational...

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12 The Saratoga Special Saturday, August 1, 2020 Saturday, August 1, 2020 The Saratoga Special 13 in the Grade 2 Stephen Foster af- ter winning three in a row including Whitney – the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap for Continued from page 12 trainer Bret Calhoun. Mr. Buff, New York-bred champion older male in rying about his breakfast now. When 2019 and a multiple stakes winner, you go to walk him and you have completes the cast of five. his water bucket and the guys have Collectively, the Whitney runners already cleaned his feed tub, instead have won 41 of 90 starts, five Grade of hitting the water he hits the empty 1s and 13 graded stakes. Three of the feed tub. He’ll pull the hotwalker to five ranked among the top 10 of the it. All the time.” NTRA’s weekly poll of leading hors- Tom’s d’Etat, 3-for-4 at Saratoga es – Tom’s d’Etat in second, By My going back to a 4-length maiden vic- Standards seventh and Code Of Hon- tory in August 2016, takes on four or 10th. Improbable also earned votes opponents who will try to pull him on that poll to put him 15th. down from his spot at the top of the “It’s not going to be easy,” Mc- list of North America’s older horses. Gaughey said. “It will be interesting The others bring legitimate cre- to see what the tactics are with only dentials to the $750,000 Whitney, a five. I know where I’m going to be, race Stall won in 2010 with eventual but what the others are going to do champion older male and Breeders’ and how much they’re going to press. Cup Classic winner . Joel is not going to do anything stu- Code Of Honor won last year’s pid so hopefully he’ll be up in there at Saratoga for Hall fairly close like he was in the Stephen of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey, Foster and we are able to pick him up. a three-time winner of the Whitney That’s a pretty solid field, I feel like with Personal Ensign, and we’re lucky to be in it and if he runs . Improbable ships in his race we’ll know he’s there.” for Hall of Fame trainer , Code Of Honor, the co-second who won last year’s Whitney with choice on the line at 5-2 along with McKinzie. By My Standards finished second to Tom’s d’Etat last time out Continued On Page 16

Tod Marks Mr. Buff tries to duplicate New York-bred Whitney winners and Diversify.

14 The Saratoga Special Saturday, August 1, 2020 Saturday, August 1, 2020 The Saratoga Special 15 end, but also from injury-free seasons the last two years. Whitney – Tom’s d’Etat didn’t run as a 2-year- Continued from page 14 old and spent eight months on the sidelines in 2016-17 and another 15 Improbable, figures to go off the sec- months on the bench in 2017-18. He’s ond pick off his experience at Sara- battled foot issues and needed surgery toga. He trained with McGaughey’s when a condylar fracture was detect- string out of his barn at the Okla- ed after his maiden win in 2017. homa Training Track for his debut, He’s run steadily since November which he won midway through the 2018 – aside from prescribed time 2018 meeting going 6 furlongs on off in the winter – to today’s Whit- the lead, and again in advance of last ney, winning seven of 11 starts with a year’s 3-length victory in the Tra- second, third and a fourth. The only vers. John Velazquez, seeking his fifth blemish to his record was a ninth in Whitney victory, returns aboard Code the slop at Gulfstream Park for the Of Honor. 2019 Pegasus World Cup Invitation- McGaughey said he’s been im- al. pressed with Tom’s d’Etat watching “He just decided to stay sound him win the Oaklawn Mile in his about two years ago and we had a 2020 debut April 11 in Hot Springs chance to go on with him,” Stall said. and more than two months later in “Obviously there’s no substitute for the Grade 2 Stephen Foster at Chur- and class. He’s got that. And he chill. obviously has a tremendous cardio. “I watched him run in Arkansas For him to run that type of race in the and watched him run in the Stephen Stephen Foster off 213 days with just Foster and I was very impressed,” one short mile race is tremendous. McGaughey said. “What’s been be- “He was training great going into hind him I don’t know. I know By it but I worried, would a lack of re- My Standards was but I don’t think cency get to him? It didn’t and that he ran his race in Louisville. (Tom’s tells me the rest of the year he’s on d’Etat has) done it the right way, done an easy cruise. He’s got whatever it it effortless, he’s going to be tough takes.” Saturday but this isn’t Oaklawn and Improbable bids for his third Churchill Downs either.” Grade 1 victory following his score in Stall draws confidence from Tom’s the 10-furlong Hollywood Gold Cup d’Etat’s record here in Saratoga, at June 6 and the where he also won the Stakes Los Alamitos Futurity as a 2-year-old. last year before a close fourth in the Grade 1 Woodward on closing week- Continued On Page 17

Alex Evers/Eclipse Sportswire Improbable is the co-second choice with Code Of Honor at 5-2.

16 The Saratoga Special Saturday, August 1, 2020 returns to Grade 1 competition and seeks his third win in five starts in Whitney – 2020. Seventh in last year’s Wood- Continued from page 16 ward and a distant 10th behind Tom’s d’Etat in the Clark at Churchill, the The 4-year-old son of City Zip fin- 6-year-old Friend Or Foe gelding fin- ished second, beaten three-quarters of ished fifth last time out in the Grade a length by Tom’s d’Etat in the Oak- 2 Suburban at 10 furlongs. Regular ROADSTER lawn Mile. rider Junior Alvarado takes the call. He’s endured some gate issues The Whitney goes as the ninth of away from California, including 12 races on the card with a post time OWENDALE when second to Omaha Beach in last of 5:42. year’s , when sixth in UNTER ILEY the Preakness and fourth in the Penn- H O’R sylvania Derby. Irad Ortiz Jr., aboard Improbable in the Arkansas Derby DOCTOR MOUNTY and last year, takes the mount. PINK SANDS By My Standards, the 9-2 fourth choice with Jose Ortiz, returned from nine months on the shelf following a A THREAD OF BLUE 12th in last year’s Kentucky Derby and rattled off three straight wins. He INSPECTOR LYNLEY won an optional claimer before tak- ing the Grade 2 New Orleans Hand- icap and Oaklawn Handicap then DUNBAR ROAD finished 4 1/4 lengths behind Tom’s d’Etat when second in the Stephen Foster. Niall Brennan Stables Mr. Buff, 12-1 on the line for Ocala, Fl (352) 732-7459 niallbrennan.com trainer John Kimmel and owners and Coady Photo breeders Chester and Mary Broman, By My Standards seeks his fourth win of 2020. Saratoga Experience! Home, Office or Mixture - For Sale - 2 1/2 Blocks from Broadway

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Saturday, August 1, 2020 The Saratoga Special 17 Starring Role Woodford team enjoys ride, impact of champ Midnight Bisou BY JOE CLANCY PERSONAL ENSIGN PREVIEW After Jeff Bloom spent $80,000 to buy 2-year-old filly Midnight Bisou, And now, well now everything is he’d relay updates to Shannon Cast- different. Midnight Bisou won the agnola at breeder Woodford Thor- and finished third in oughbreds. the for Spawr, moved “Bill Spawr thinks she’s doing well, over to Steve Asmussen and became and we like her.” a horse of the world with more than “Oh that’s great, Jeff, I hope it $7.3 million in earnings, an Eclipse works out.” Award, four Grade 1 wins, placings Then she finished second in her in some of the world’s top races, a fol- first two starts and it was more of the lowing. “We thought she was good at the same. Then she broke her maiden in beginning, but she’s just continued to a Grade 2 stakes in her 3-year-old de- add to it and add to it,” said Castag- but, and tacked on a Grade 3 in her nola, director of marketing and client next start and the sentiment started to relations at Woodford who worked change. with Bloom at West Point Thorough- “Gosh, Jeff, you got a really good breds. “It’s a little bit surreal because deal and we’re excited for you. What Tod Marks Continued On Page 19 Midnight Bisou (left) and Elate battle in last year’s Personal Ensign. a nice filly.”

CURLIN, 2005 Ken McPeek One “This big chestnut colt walks out and I’m like, ‘Whoa,’ but he’s got a left front ankle on him the size of a grapefruit. He’s gorgeous though. He’d had an OCD removed and had an infected joint. It was healing, but the incision site was infected. He needed to be on antibi- Horse otics, but (veterinarians) thought he’d get over it. The horse goes in the ring and looks like Buyers and sellers remember a Greek God, like he could have outrun most horses as a yearling. I buy him for $57,000, with no client. I called six people . . . Finally, one guy says he’ll take him. We ship him to some names from Keeneland a farm, and the farm manager calls and says, ‘Did you even look at this horse?’ I tell him September sales of years past. I know I know, the left ankle. The guy says, ‘Left ankle? This horse will never race.’ They were all mad at me. I said, ‘I bought you one of the nicest horses I saw all week. He has a vet issue. It’s not an argument though, the horse will be picked up in the morning.’ Then he asked me one question that to this day I wish he hadn’t asked. ‘What are you going to do with him?’ I told him I was going to prove them wrong. They called back, said if I was that interested . . . He got broken, we watched him train all winter, and the rest is history.”

That’s an understatement. McPeek took a sabbatical from training, and Curlin won his debut as a 3-year- old for the Midnight Cry Stable of Bill Gallion and Shirley Cunningham and trainer Helen Pitts. Midnight Cry sold 80 percent to Stonestreet Thoroughbreds and partners and they moved Curlin to Steve Asmussen. The colt earned $10.5 million, won two Horse of the Year crowns and in 2014 joined racing’s Hall of Fame. Gallion and Cunningham ended up in prison after being convicted of taking $94 million from a $200 million settlement in the fen-phen weight-loss drug case, and the U.S. Justice Department briefly owned 20 percent of Curlin as part of its asset forfeiture program. After starting out at Lane’s End Farm, he now stands at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm and SEPTEMBER has sired dozens of stakes winners including , Exaggerator, , Good Magic, Stellar Wind and SUN. 13 - FRI. 25 . McPeek did get a lifetime breeding right, but had to go to court to get it.

18 The Saratoga Special Saturday, August 1, 2020 dropped the finale, the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, but still won the older dirt fe- Personal Ensign – male Eclipse Award. Bloom and com- Continued from page 18 pany opted to withdraw their star filly from Fasig-Tipton’s November sale in you couldn’t plan for anything like favor of a 2020 racing campaign. She this. You couldn’t expect a horse, any opened with a second to Maximum horse, to have that kind of a career. Security in the $20 million Saudi Cup She’s a superstar. She’s a different in February – dropping well behind kind of horse.” early and charging up the rail late And she gets another chance to to pass a dozen horses and come up show it in today’s Grade 1 Personal three-quarters of a length short in the Ensign at . The world’s richest race. 5-year-old mare is 2-5 on the morning Rested until June, she returned line in a field of six, and seeks her 14th with a thorough shellacking of six lifetime win for Bloom Racing Stable, others in the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis at Madaket Stable and Allen Racing, Churchill Downs. She won by 8 1/4 and new jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. lengths, with ears pricked and geared The $500,000 stakes is the fifth race down in the final yards. Runner-up on a card that includes the Grade 1 Motion Emotion (20-1 on the morn- Whitney for older horses, Grade 1 H. ing line), owned by Mark DeDome- Allen Jerkens for 3-year-old sprinters, nico and Abbondanza Racing and the Grade 2 Bowling Green for turf trained by Richard Baltas, is the only veterans and the Caress for distaff horse to sign up for a rematch as the turf sprinters. First post is 1:10 p.m. field includes Grade 2 winner and with the Personal Ensign set for 3:28 the multiple Grade 1-placed Point Of and the finale at 7:22. Honor (5-2) for Eclipse Thorough- Midnight Bisou won the 2019 bred Partners and Stetson Racing, Personal Ensign, run in late August trainer George Weaver and jockey as a companion to the Travers, in a . ’s slugfest with Elate not decided until Vexatious (6-1, ), Win- the final stride – and a long look at Star Stablemates’ Abounding Joy (20- the photo. The 4-year-old got the bet- 1, Jose Ortiz) and Lawrence Roman’s ter of her year-older rival by a nose, Bossy Bride (50-1, Junior Alvarado) the sixth of seven consecutive wins complete the field in the 1 1/8-mile to start the year. Midnight Bisou stakes. It’s all a long way from Woodford’s 1,000- acre operation in Red- dick, Fla. Owned by John and Susan Sykes, the former Cloverleaf Farm fills a somewhat unique niche in racing as a commercial breeder that sells yearlings and 2-year-olds. The mares foal in Kentucky (Wood- ford sold its Kentucky farm last year), but the weanlings come to Flor- ida in October. As the 2-year-olds get sold out of the training barn, the yearlings move in and start sales prep. There’s a 5-furlong training track, a swim pond/dock, big fields and plenty of ex- pertise. A few horses get kept to race, and Wood- ford also takes on horses Tod Marks Midnight Bisou cools off after winning last year’s Beldame. Continued On Page 20

Saturday, August 1, 2020 The Saratoga Special 19 Personal Ensign – Continued from page 19 for outside clients such as Three Diamonds Farm. Farm trainer John Gleason had Midnight Bisou for almost a year. As a yearling, she prepped for Keeneland September in 2016 and expressed her opinion. “She was a little tough to break at first, maybe the first few weeks,” Gleason said. “She wasn’t ner- vous or crazy, but she had a confidence about her. She wanted to do things her way and she let you know, but she never really had a bad day.” Hip 4015 in the marathon sale, the dark bay re- turned to Woodford after not meeting her reserve on a final bid of $19,000. The result didn’t surprise Gleason. Though she’s filled out, Midnight Bisou would never be called a big horse and the yearling version was not going to turn heads the way some others do. “She wasn’t a big, strong, commercial-type year- Tod Marks ling, but she moved really well,” said Gleason. “She Vexatious (right) was second to Blue Prize in last year’s Summer Colony, and meets Midnight Bisou in the Personal Ensign. was such a good mover and you could tell that “She wasn’t high-energy, but it was hard to get bred, raised, trained and sold Grade 1 winner Dis- might come through more as she got older.” her tired at the same time,” Gleason said. “She’d al- creet Lover among others. Gleason singled out that Back in the training barn, the daughter of Mid- ways be looking for more – not wild coming out of battle with Elate in last year’s Personal Ensign as his night Lute prepped with the others aiming for the stall or anything bad, she just liked the compe- favorite race, along with a victory in the Santa Ani- spring 2-year-old sales and started to blossom. tition I think. You can see she’s still that way. She’s ta Oaks in 2018. Both showcased his former pupil’s Gleason loved the progression. She went to the a warrior. She likes to lay it down.” determination. Ocala Breeders Sales Company’s April sale and Woodford goes along for the ride. Midnight Bi- brought Bloom’s $80,000 bid. sou is a celebrity of sorts on the farm, which also Continued On Page 21

20 The Saratoga Special Saturday, August 1, 2020

w 3-year-old and gone through the sale and brought a ton of money and Personal Ensign – people would have said what a great Continued from page 20 race filly she was,” Castagnola said. “And now look at what she’s done. “It’s really rewarding,” Gleason To take on boys, to run as many years Nearly 10% said. “We break a lot of horses. To as she has and go all the places she Stakes Horses see some of them go on and reach a has, she’s been in some very tough success level is always special. Her races. We helped along the way, but success level is another story. All the it’s deep down in her, in her heart or Alternation guys, the riders, grooms everybody her brain.” follows her. We went and watched her By Distorted Humor run at the Breeders’ Cup two years NOTES: Woodford just sent Wick- ago and we’re planning on going this ed Bisou, a 2-year-old half-sister to the year. Some horses hit an elite level, Personal Ensign favorite by Wicked but for one to stay there for as long Strong, to trainer Tom Amoss in Ken- as she has is special. She’s just held it tucky . . . John Sykes purchased Mid- # right there through so much.” night Bisou’s granddam Tour Hostess 14 Active Sire In 21 lifetime starts, all but one a after her racing career ended in 2005. stakes, Midnight Bisou has never fin- She was bred to Repent, who stood by Blacktype SWs ished worse than third while running at Cloverleaf, and produced Midnight 6 furlongs to 1 1/4 miles in Califor- Bisou’s dam Diva Delite in 2007. The Broken Vow nia, New York, Kentucky, Pennsylva- latter won eight races, including the nia, Texas, Arkansas, New Jersey and Grade 3 Florida Oaks and two other By Unbridled Saudi Arabia. stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in 2010. The people at Woodford played a Woodford sold her for $750,000 (in part in all of it, though even they can’t foal to Pioneerof The Nile) in 2018 pinpoint what they did exactly. and the mare sold for $1.2 million (in “She could have finished as a foal to Justify) last year.

Pin Oak Stud P.O. Box 68 • Route 60 • Versailles, KY 40383 Inquiries to Clifford Barry or Nancy Stephens (859) 873-1420 www.pinoakstud.com

Tod Marks Second choice Point Of Honor lost the Grade 1 by a nose in her last start.

Saturday, August 1, 2020 The Saratoga Special 21 H. ALLEN JERKENS PREVIEW Pure Speed No Parole aims to give owner Moss 4th Grade 1 victory BY PAUL HALLORAN With Maggi Moss and No Parole, it was a case of love at first bite. Moss was checking out horses in advance of the 2018 Keeneland September yearling sale when she came upon a Louisiana-bred by Violence out of the Bluegrass Cat mare Plus One. Suffice to say she was smitten, though the colt made the first move. “I’ve been around horses since I was 10 and I like Tod Marks to think I’m pretty good around them,” Moss said. No Parole blazes to victory in the Woody Stephens at Belmont in June “I’ve never had a horse move on me that quick. He The affection for No Parole – whom Moss, an While no one could have anticipated this level of bit me hard on my breast.” attorney, named based on her former career as a success, Moss knew she had a good one before he Moss was willing to forgive the indiscretion. prosecutor and the sire – has only intensified as the even ran a race. “I fell in love with him,” she said. “He looked horse has reeled off five wins in six starts and is “I remember Tom calling one morning and really athletic and I loved his pedigree for a Loui- the 9-5 morning line favorite in today’s $300,000 telling me he doesn’t need to run against Louisi- siana-bred.” Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Stakes at Saratoga Race ana-breds,” she said. Moss had to wait until the first session of Book Course. It’s the 10th race on the card, and goes “I always had a lot of confidence in him,” Amoss 2 – the sixth day of the sale – for Hip 1121 to come postward at 6:18 p.m. said. “After the first hard work we gave him, I told through the ring. She was prepared to spend up to Maggi he was a lot better than just a good Louisi- “I’m blown away by what he has done,” Moss $60,000, but it became apparent that was not go- ana-bred.” said of the colt who comes in off a 3 3/4-length ing to be enough. After No Parole won three state-bred races by “I was with a friend and she told me to raise my win in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens on the Belmont a combined 34 lengths, anyone paying attention hand one more time,” said Moss, who placed the States undercard for trainer Tom Amoss. “He has could see Moss had something special. And when so exceeded my expectations. It’s been like an out- winning bid of $75,000. “I don’t usually do my own Continued On Page 23 bidding. That was the first time. I really loved him.” of-body, surreal experience for me.” Andrew J. Mollica Attorney at Law A small firm dedicated to big things

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22 The Saratoga Special Saturday, August 1, 2020 emotional. I had a lot of talks with Tom.” Jerkens – After Moss turned down the of- Continued from page 22 fers, Amoss spoke to her about taking on a partner, something she isn’t typi- that is the case early in a horse’s cally interested in doing. She listened, 3-year-old campaign, you can be sure however, and ended up selling a per- suitors will come calling. centage to Greg Tramontin, founder “That was the hard part,” said and chief executive officer of GoAuto Moss. “People started wanting to buy Insurance. him.” “It all came together as ideally as Moss said she received at least it could,” said Moss, whose previous three “very generous offers” includ- Grade 1 winners were a Pennsylva- ing one for more than $1 million. Yes, nia-bred (So Many Ways, 2012 Spi- $1 million. naway) and another Louisiana-bred “I’m a hard-working girl,” she (Big World, 2017 La Troienne). said. “I had always dealt with this as “Greg made a very satisfactory of- a business. I sold Peace Rules to Bob- fer and I could keep controlling inter- by Frankel (for Edmund Gann) and est,” she said. “And the horse would he ran third in the (2003 Kentucky) stay with Tom. Hallelujah.” Derby. That paid for the house I live After the deal was consummated, in.” an illness followed. And it wasn’t the Yet she wasn’t willing to sell her colt who was affected. Louisiana-bred for more than 13 “They had Derby Fever,” Moss times what she paid for him. Part said of her new partner and longtime of her reasoning was her loyalty to trainer. “I had no interest. It’s a gruel- Amoss, who has trained for her for ing experience for a 3-year-old.” 17 years. In fairness to Amoss and Tramon- “It was really hard,” she said. tin, the temptation to get on the Ken- “They wanted to take him away from tucky Derby trail has to be virtually Tom and go with their own trainer. Tod Marks It wasn’t fun. I’m a woman and I’m Continued On Page 24 Fourth in the Woody Stephens, Mischevious Alex returns in the Jerkens at 8-1.

Saturday, August 1, 2020 The Saratoga Special 23 gest layoff ever, 57 days. He drew the “I was an assistant trainer for John rail in the five-horse field, leaving no Parisella in 1987 and I was at Belmont Jerkens – doubt about the strategy: Send. Park all day, every day,” he said. “I Continued from page 23 Ridden by Luis Saez for the first would go into the track kitchen on time, No Parole went to the lead non-racing days and there would be irresistible. A horse only gets one and put up fractions of :22.31 and five people in there and Allen would crack at it, and you can say the same :45.01, covering 7 furlongs in 1:21.41 be one of them. I only knew him ca- for the vast majority of owners and and bringing his career earnings to sually but I always admired him. His trainers. $295,366. The next three finishers, work ethic was not typical of anyone “He deserved a chance,” Amoss Echo Town, Shoplifted and Mischevi- I knew then or have seen since. He said of decision to run in the Grade ous Alex, get another crack at No Pa- loved the barn. That was his life.” 2 at Oaklawn Park role in the 7-furlong Jerkens. Echo Town, one of three Steve As- March 14, three days before it was “He was sharp going into the mussen trainees in the field of 11, is announced that the Derby would be Woody Stephens and I’m happy with second choice at 9-2. He has three delayed until Sept. 5. “You want to how he is coming into this race,” said wins in six starts and has never fin- see if two turns is in his capability.” Amoss, whose horse registered a half- ished off the board. All the questions were answered mile bullet work in a swift :46.42 at The 5-1 third choice and potential- when No Parole finished last of eight, Saratoga July 24. “That work was de- ly one of the biggest threats to No Pa- beaten 49 lengths by Nadal, who like- signed to sharpen him up. We asked role is Tap It To Win, who is cutting ly would have been one of the Derby him a little in the last eighth.” back to one turn after setting the pace favorites had he not suffered a ca- Amoss is again keeping no secrets in the Belmont Stakes and finishing reer-ending injury in May. when it comes to the plan for today, fifth, 14 lengths behind Tiz The Law. “It was a failed experiment,” when No Parole will try to become the Tap It To Win, owned by Live Amoss said. “Historically, you see a second Violence progeny in a week to Oak Plantation and trained by Mark lot of horses who can’t get the dis- win a Grade 1 sprint at Saratoga, af- Casse, drew the far outside in the tance continue on the Derby trail lon- ter Volatile’s effortless triumph in the field of 11, which figures to give jock- ger than they should. Our experiment Alfred G. Vanderbilt last Saturday. ey John Velazquez some options. The left no doubt.” “We’re going. My horse has great ridgling is 2-for-2 sprinting on dirt, No Parole won a 6-furlong allow- athletic ability from the gate and he’s with both wins coming at 6 furlongs, ance at Oaklawn April 24, prompting very fast,” said Amoss, who would including a maiden score on Travers Amoss to target the Woody Stephens, relish the chance to win a race named Day last year. which the horse entered off his lon- for one of the titans of the sport. John Servis saddles Mischevious Alex, who had a three-race win- ning streak snapped when we has a well-beaten fourth in the Woody Ste- phens. Bill Parcells’ Three Technique, who broke his maiden on closing weekend at Saratoga last year, hasn’t run since a fourth in the Rebel. Train- er Jeremiah Englehart will also saddle Captain Bombastic, who is coming off a win in the Mike Lee Stakes for New York breds. Bob Baffert ships in Eight Rings, who has only run once since last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, a pace-press- ing fifth in the Bachelor at Oaklawn three months ago. Asmussen also has Shoplifted, second in last year’s Hope- ful, and 50-1 longshot Sonneman. The field is rounded out by Doug O’Neil’s Liam’s Pride and rail runner Hopeful Treasure for Michael Pino.

24 The Saratoga Special Saturday, August 1, 2020 Taking Flight Connections aim, fly high with longshot Hopeful Treasure

BY PAUL HALLORAN H. ALLEN JERKENS PREVIEW Hopeful Treasure may be 50-1 in today’s Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens your home, release them and wait for Stakes, but that doesn’t faze his own- them to get home. er. How do they know how to get “I don’t care if we’re 99-1,” said home? Tony Como, who leads the Just in “Nobody knows,” Como said, Tod Marks Hopeful Treasure takes a big swing at the Grade 1 Allen Jerkens. Time Racing partnership that in- while reminding us that they are cludes his brother, Louis, and sister, called homing pigeons. into play, although owner and trainer first Grade 1 win in a 37-year career. Josephine Hardyal. “I don’t think my Races are conducted at 60 to 600 knew what they would be facing. “We’re taking on the iron and he’s up horse is going to disgrace me.” miles. Pigeons are equipped with “We know they’re monsters, but I against it. He’s going to have to step Como, a Brooklyn native and for- computer chips – road racers can re- don’t know what he is. I have to find it up and everything would have to go mer Staten Island resident who lives late – that tracks speed and registers out for myself,” Como said of the son well, but sometimes you have to take in Monroe Township, N.J., knows when they arrive home. of Oxbow out of the Giant’s Cause- a chance. The horse is doing great.” what’s it’s like to compete in races on Como said it takes a pigeon about way mare Elle Special. “Mike thinks Como is hoping for a fast and con- the big stage – and not only with four- nine hours to complete a 350-mile he’s really good and I listen to Mike. tested pace that would benefit a closer legged animals. race. It will take about 82 seconds He might be Cinderella.” like Hopeful Treasure. If that hap- A retired produce buyer, Como is a for him to learn his fate today, when “It’s exciting,” said Pino, a Mid-At- pens, and if he’s good enough, maybe two-time winner of the America’s In- Hopeful Treasure wades into the deep lantic-based trainer in search of his he can fly by all of them in the stretch. ternational Challenge, a competition end in the Jerkens. A $6,000 year- for racing pigeons. And before you ling purchase at the 2018 Fasig-Tip- scoff at the idea of a pigeon race, you ton Kentucky October sale, Hopeful should know first prize was worth Treasure is coming off a fourth by 2 $20,000. lengths in the Gold Fever at Belmont “There are prestigious races in Park in his stakes debut three weeks the U.S. and around the world,” said ago. Como, who also owns horses under “He didn’t have the best of trips the Bing Cherry Racing moniker. “In last time,” said Pino, whose only win After Phil worked“ for us Belgium, it’s like baseball here.” at Saratoga in 18 starts was the 2014 Last year, in Belgium, someone Hall of Fame Stakes with Wallyanna. on the track, I let him pick bought a champion racer for breeding “We felt like he could have won with purposes and spent $1.86 million. So a better trip.” out some yearlings at the sales. there. “He was 10 wide at the top of the Como explained that you buy a stretch,” Como said, “then he came We have trusted his opinion male and a female, breed them and flying at the end. If that race was 6 1/2 ever since. He has a good then train the babies, starting with a furlongs, he would have won.” coop in your yard. Then you bring the In looking for the next opportuni- eye for a horse, knows pigeons to increasing distances from ty for their horse, the Jerkens came pedigrees, and his integrity

is beyond reproach.

– BILL MOTT,” TRAINER

Contact Phil Hager at 859.509.9122 www.taprootbloodstock.com | [email protected]

Saturday, August 1, 2020 The Saratoga Special 25 Tod Marks Cross Border exits a win in the Lubash at Saratoga July 22. Diamonds are forever Top owner aims two at Bowling Green, one at Caress

BY SEAN CLANCY BOWLING GREEN/CARESS PREVIEW It’s right there in cold hard print. Three Diamonds Farm: 7-4-0-0. versified approach to the sport. Turbo Drive, an $80,000 Klaravich Stables: 19-3-1-6. 2-year-old purchase, paid $36.60 in a New York-bred al- Waterford Stable: 4-3-0-0. lowance on the grass. Favorite Turn Of Events, a $50,000 Noda Brothers: 5-3-1-0. horses-in-training sale recruit, won a maiden claimer on the grass. Cross Border, a $100,000 horses-in-training pur- Three Diamonds Farm, the leading owner at Saratoga chase, dominated New York-breds in the Lubash Stakes. after 12 days, sends out four on Saturday’s card, including Escape Fund, a $105,000 purchase at a 2-year-old sale, Marzo and Cross Border in the Grade 2 Bowling Green returned $71 in her debut in open company on the dirt. Stakes and Jakarta in the $200,000 Caress. It could be a Marzo and Cross Border break from the inside stalls straight-to-Siro’s late double for Kirk Wycoff and his fam- in the Bowling Green. The 1 3/8-mile turf stakes attracted ily (well, back when you could go to Siro’s). seven, including favorite Sadler’s Joy, winner of $2.5 mil- “Look, we just love winning at Saratoga,” Wycoff said, lion. Cross Border, fresh off the Lubash score July 22, is when returning to Saratoga Thursday. “The first year back up the 5-2 second choice while Marzo, making his first start here with any meaningful horses, we won seven and thought since March, is 8-1 on the morning line. Irad Ortiz takes it was easy. Two years ago, we won zero. We’re thankful for the call aboard Marzo while his brother Jose gets the re- every one. It’s impossible, really, for a small owner to com- turn call aboard Cross Border. Both horses are trained by pete for the owners’ title but we’ll make our mark.” Mike Maker. In its 13th consecutive season at Saratoga, the fami- “Cross Border was a project, we bought him July of ly-run stable has marked its way to the top with four Continued On Page 27 winners. Those winners encompass Three Diamonds’ di-

26 The Saratoga Special Saturday, August 1, 2020 In the Turf Classic last year, Channel Maker pushed Cross Border, he could Diamonds – do that again, but, man, this turf Continued from page 26 course is fast,” Wycoff said. “It sure looks like a slow pace race to me. We ’18 and he didn’t run for a year. He’s don’t really care where we are, people a tough customer, he likes to win and have thought about Cross as a speed he certainly likes Saratoga, 4-for-4. horse because he’s so quick from the We’re not big fans of running back gate and he ran really good at 6 fur- on short rest but he ran very well in longs, but he showed in the Lubash, the Lubash and it wasn’t a particular- he’s comfortable wherever you want ly tough race,” Wycoff said. “Marzo him.” won the Sycamore in the fall, he likes Making his 31st career start, to be forwardly placed, a mile and Sadler’s Joy leads the Bowling Green a half is probably too far for him, a field from post six for Woodslane mile and three eighths is just about Farm and trainer Tom Albertrani. right. We’ve been looking to bring Javier Castellano rides for the sixth him back. It’ll be fun to watch the consecutive time. The 7-year-old race.” son of Kitten’s Joy has bankrolled Claimed for $62,500 at Kentucky $825,022 of his $2,573,160 at Sara- Downs Aug. 31, Marzo picked up toga and exits a tough third in the the Grade 3 Sycamore at Keeneland Grade 1 July 4. in October, one of six starts for the Third-choice Channel Maker rides son of Medaglia d’Oro since exiting a nine-race losing streak into his fifth Brad Cox’s barn. Maker shopped and career start at Saratoga. Owned by shipped the Kentucky-bred gelding this Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber and winter, picking up a third in the Grade R. A. Hill Stable and trained by Bill 3 John Connelly at Sam Houston and Mott, the 6-year-old gelded son of some off the board finishes at Gulfst- English Channel finished in a dead ream and Fair Grounds. He makes his heat win in the 2018 Bowling Green. first start since finishing seventh in the Five-time winner Highland Sky for Grade 2 Muniz at Fair Grounds. Barclay Tagg, 10-time winner Dot Cross Border won five races since Matrix for Brad Cox and three-time making his debut for Three Diamonds winner Pillar Mountain for Todd last summer. The son of English Chan- Pletcher complete the field. nel won a starter allowance, won twice against New York-breds and took an • • • open allowance at Aqueduct in 2019. Three Diamonds hopes to make it Put away after a second in the Grade back-to-back stakes wins when Jakar- 3 McKnight at Gulfstream in January, ta shortens for the Caress, the finale the 6-year-old ridgling returned with on the 12-race card. The 5-year-old a second in an open allowance at Bel- mare breaks from post 5 in a field of mont, a fifth (beaten a length) in the 10, led by German-bred Dalika for Grade 1 Manhattan and nothing more trainer Al Stall and three-time win- than a turf breeze in the Lubash. ner I’llhandalthecash for trainer Ray “They’re nice horses and they’ll Handal. both run well, the race is interesting because we drew post one and two. Continued On Page 28

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Saturday, August 1, 2020 The Saratoga Special 27 at Saratoga before winning the P.G. Johnson at the Meadowlands in Oc- Diamonds – tober. The stable, named for Kirk and Continued from page 27 his wife Debra’s three sons, has grad- ually gone from 26 starters, trained Three Diamonds purchased Ja- by Mike Trombetta, in 2008 to 339 karta, a daughter of Bustin Stones, starters, trained by Maker, Trombetta for $35,000 from the Joseph Beseker and , in 2019. It’s been dispersal at Fasig-Tipton Midlantic an organic progression from Wycoff’s December Sale in 2019. A $16,000 early dabbling at Penn National while claim by Besecker and trainer Bran- going to Franklin & Marshall to the don Kulp, the Pennsylvania-bred family-involved juggernaut of today. won three of four before entering the “I’ve always loved horses, I had Timonium sales ground. hunters and jumpers when I was a kid. “I’m a big Bustin Stones fan, we When I was in college, I started train- have Time Limit who was second in ing and claiming at Penn National. the Matron last year,” Wycoff said. Back in the Clyde Rice days, ’79, ’80, “I was sitting at Timonium when the I hate to admit that’s 40 years ago,” Beseker dispersal was going on, up Wycoff said. “My wife rides jumpers, walks Jakarta and I just loved her we’ve been active in the horse busi- physically. She’s a stretchy Bustin ness, we had a family, we didn’t have Stones, they are typically limited to 5 a silver spoon in our mouths, so we ½ or 6.” Tod Marks didn’t own horses for about 20 years Jakarta won her first start for Sadler’s Joy seeks to add to his stellar turf career in the Bowling Green. and got back into it. She’s got three or Three Diamonds, wiring six rivals in four jumpers and I have 50 racehors- a 5-furlong turf allowance at Gulf- fourth in the Grade 3 Vagrancy on the “Look, there is not a cloud in the sky es. Seems like a fair split to me.” stream Park. She came right back to Belmont main track. in Saratoga, they’re going to play hell Like all owners, Three Diamonds win the off-the-turf Powder Break go- “She won the stake at Gulfstream catching her.” has faced challenges in 2020. Last ing a mile at Gulfstream. going a mile. We were looking for- Three Diamonds made its debut year, the stable enjoyed its best year, She was beaten 20 lengths by ward to running the seven eighths in 2008, winning two races from 26 winning 44 races and $3.98 million. Newspaperofrecord in the Grade against Newspaperofrecord but she starts on the Mid-Atlantic circuit. 3 Intercontinental before finishing doesn’t like it soft,” Wycoff said. Cocktail Attire picked up two seconds Continued On Page 29

28 The Saratoga Special Saturday, August 1, 2020 Saratoga Leaders JOCKEYS...... 1ST Diamonds – Jose Ortiz...... 20 TRAINERS...... 1ST Joel Rosario...... 19 Continued from page 28 Christophe Clement...... 13 Irad Ortiz Jr...... 18 Chad Brown...... 8 Javier Castellano...... 8 This year, the stable has won 20 races for $1.1 mil- Mike Maker...... 8 Manny Franco...... 8 lion. Todd Pletcher...... 8 Jose Lezcano...... 8 “I’ve got the same number of horses, the same Linda Rice...... 7 Tyler Gaffalione...... 8 bills. Every owner that has a racehorse is taking Jim Bond...... 5 John Velazquez...... 7 a bath this year,” Wycoff said. “I hate when Seth Rudy Rodriguez...... 4 Luis Saez...... 5 Klarman beats me but then I think about how much Wesley Ward...... 4 Junior Alvarado...... 4 more money he’s losing every day than I am. This is Steve Asmussen...... 3 Ricardo Santana Jr...... 4 going to be a bad year for owners.” Jack Fisher...... 3 Eric Cancel...... 3 While riding the downturn, Three Diamonds Ray Handal...... 3 Through Friday Bill Mott...... 3 continues to bolster its stable, buying nine horses at Shug McGaughey...... 3 the Fasig-Tipton Horses of Racing Age Sale in July. Tod Marks Orlando Noda...... 3 Debra and Kirk Wycoff (left) were in the Saratoga winner’s “We didn’t expect that sale to have that many Ian Wilkes...... 3 horses and that many nice horses. Like most people circle with Bigger Picture last year. who love the business, when you perceive you’re The managing partner of the Philadelphia-based ly,” Wycoff said. “As owners, we’re more conscious getting good value, sometimes you’ve got to step private equity firm Patriot Financial Partners, Wy- of the individual horse today, we’re fortunate to be up and that’s what we did,” Wycoff said. “Buying coff runs Three Diamonds as a business but looks able to do that, we love them all and try to take care race horses that have run is like claiming horses, at it as an outlet to share with his family, including of them the best we can. They were born to run, we would plan on owning anything we buy for a his son, Jordan, who manages the stable. they like to win and we want them to enjoy their couple of years, they’ve got to get in a program,” “Look, I don’t think we’d have anywhere near jobs. I don’t know if it’s a change, but it’s something Wycoff said. as many if the children didn’t enjoy it. Everybody my wife, my kids and I are more conscious of the In addition to the older horses, Three Diamonds needs a hobby and this is a good one for the fami- quality of life for the horse.” expects to be busy in the upcoming 2-year-old races at Saratoga. “This year, because of the virus, we’ve changed our plan a little,” Wycoff said. “We have fewer old- er horses to run, but I do have a dozen 2-year-olds Join The Special’s 2020 Readers Club. to start in the next 20 days.”

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Saturday, August 1, 2020 The Saratoga Special 29 Presented by Saratoga Race Course – Saturday, August 1 the Power grid Race # John Tom Charles Rob Shapazian Law Bedard Whitlock Grandview entry Grandview entry Winfromwithin Regular Guy Reinvestment Risk Winfromwithin Windcracker Grandview entry 1 Windcracker Reinvestment Risk Grandview entry Team Merchants Fog Of War Fog Of War Dream Friend Fog Of War Spirit Animal Dream Friend Spirit Animal Spirit Animal 2 En Wye Cee Spirit Animal King Cause King Cause No Salt Regal Speaker Regal Speaker No Salt Regal Speaker K. K. Ichikawa K. K. Ichikawa Allied Invasion 3 School Street Allied Invasion Golconda Mr. Fidget Dreams Of Tomorrow Dreams Of Tomorrow Dreams Of Tomorrow Point Driven Ima Pharoah Searing Chase Searing Chase Dreams Of Tomorrow 4 Futuro Ima Pharoah Point Driven Ima Pharoah Midnight Bisou Midnight Bisou Midnight Bisou Midnight Bisou Point Of Honor Point Of Honor Point Of Honor Vexatious 5 Motion Emotion Vexatious Vexatious Point Of Honor Mister Winston Everfast Cool Bobby Everfast Stage Left Mister Winston Vintage Hollywood Mister Winston 6 Cool Bobby Stage Left Foolish Ghost Famished King Of Miami King Of Miami King Of Miami King Of Miami Modern Science Habitus Modern Science Modern Science 7 Flight To Paradise Flight To Paradise Berhanu Habitus Amano Amano Amano Holy Emperor Reigning Spirit Reigning Spirit Reigning Spirit Caribbean Gold 8 Mystery Bank Holy Emperor Mystery Bank Montauk Summer Tom’s d’Etat Tom’s d’Etat Tom’s d’Etat By My Standards Improbable Code Of Honor Improbable Tom’s d’Etat 9 Code Of Honor By My Standards By My Standards Mr. Buff No Parole Tap It To Win No Parole Eight Rings Echo Town No Parole Echo Town No Parole 10 Three Technique Echo Town Captain Bombastic Three Technique Cross Border Sadler’s Joy Sadler’s Joy Dot Matrix Channel Maker Channel Maker Channel Maker Pillar Mountain 11 Sadler’s Joy Cross Border Highland Sky Channel Maker Dalika Dalika Cariba Dalika Cariba Cariba Miss Gossip Mother Mother 12 I’llhandalthecash I’llhandalthecash Mother Mother Cariba 2020 Records 45/112 42/112 39/112 32/112 Daily picks available at thisishorsracing.com

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30 The Saratoga Special Saturday, August 1, 2020 20 Publishing Calendar for 2020 season An online newspaper for the summer racing season at Saratoga Race Course SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

Opening Day 16 17 18 ISSUE 1 ISSUE 2 Schuylerville, Shine Again, CCA Oaks, J Peter Pan De La Rose Hall of Fame 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 U Statue of Liberty No Racing No Racing ISSUE 3 (NYSS) ISSUE 4 Lubash (NYB) A.P. Smithwick A.G. Vanderbilt, L Lake Placid Steeplechase Quick Call Ballston Spa 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 Y ISSUE 6 No Racing No Racing ISSUE 5 Whitney, Personal Dayatthespa (NYB) Ensign, Allen Jerkens, Bernard Baruch John Morrissey (NYB) Coronation Cup Bowling Green, Caress 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

A No Racing No Racing ISSUE 7 ISSUE 8 Summer Colony Travers, Ballerina, U Birdstone Cab Calloway (NYSS) Saratoga Special Test, Troy, Waya 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 G No Racing No Racing ISSUE 9 ISSUE 10 Adirondack Saratoga Derby, U Alydar Union Avenue (NYB) Perfect Sting Alabama S 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

No Racing No Racing ISSUE 11 Tale Of The Cat ISSUE 12 T Bolton Landing N.Y. Turf Writers Cup Fourstardave Saratoga Oaks Steeplechase Skidmore 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

No Racing No Racing ISSUE 13 ISSUE 14 Mahony Smart And Fancy Sword Dancer, Forego, S Diana Times Square (NYSS) Lake George Amsterdam, Saranac 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 E ISSUE 16 NY-bred Showcase Woodward, Prioress, No Racing No Racing ISSUE 15 Albany, Fleet Indian, P With Anticipation P.G. Johnson Funny Cide, Seeking Glens Falls, Jim Dandy Shuvee Park Avenue (NYSS) the Ante, West Pt, Yaddo Ky. Derby Day T 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 No Racing Closing Day ISSUE 17 Spinaway, Season Wrap-Up Honorable Miss, Lucky Coin Hopeful, Lure JOE CLANCY SEAN CLANCY TOM LAW [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] (302) 545-4424 (302) 545-7713 (859) 396-9407 Main Office: (410) 392-JUMP (5867) • 364 Fair Hill Drive, Suite F, Elkton, MD 21921 Calendar for planning purposes only and subject to change.

Saturday, August 1, 2020 The Saratoga Special 31 Laugh it off Funny Guy adds second NY-bred stakes in Thursday’s Morrissey BY TOM LAW SARATOGA RACING RECAP John Terranova could only chuckle and shake his head watching Funny Funny Guy used that impromptu Guy make a quick split from the post warmup in his favor and ran his re- parade before Thursday’s $85,000 cord to 2-for-2 in 2020 with a sharp John Morrissey Handicap at Saratoga score in the Morrissey, adding the Race Course. 7-furlong New York-bred stakes to “He’s just a big bull,” Terrano- his victory in the Commentator at va said, watching the 4-year-old Big Belmont Park June 12. The 2-1 sec- Brown colt make leave of his pony ond choice in the field of seven, Funny and rip toward the far turn under a Guy won by 2 lengths from 25-1 T good hold from Joel Rosario. The Loves A Fight with 13-1 My Boy Tate move could have doubled for a stiff third. Amundson, the 6-5 favorite warmup, if only Terranova had or- and early leader, faded to last. dered one. “It just validated the last race and “No, that’s just him,” Terrano- validated him as a 4-year-old coming va said. “He just does his own thing back against New York-breds,” Ter- around the barn, on the racetrack.” Chelsea Durand/NYRA Continued On Page 33 Funny Guy powers home with Thursday’s John Morrissey. And in races like the Morrissey.

32 The Saratoga Special Saturday, August 1, 2020 some of those early plans and Funny Guy didn’t make his return to the rac- Recap – es until the Commentator June 12. He Continued from page 32 won that from off the pace, beating defending state-bred champion older ranova said. “These are pretty tough male Mr. Buff by 1 1/4 lengths and colts we’re running against right now. got Team Terranova thinking. He certainly can hold his own against They considered aiming high at New York-bred company, but maybe today’s Grade 1 Whitney, where he’d open company at some point. Just face the likes of Tom’s d’Etat, Code grateful to have him and grateful he’s Of Honor and Improbable, but opt- back for us. He’s just a very smart ed instead for the Morrissey. Don’t be colt. He knows what to do. That’s the surprised to see Funny Guy show up pleasure about him.” in a graded stakes sometime soon af- Bred by Hibiscus Stable and owned ter winning the Morrissey in 1:22.08. by the partnership of Gatsas Stable, “I know the Forego is always a R. A. Hill Stable and Swick Stable, strong race. Seven-eighths, obviously Funny Guy won last year’s Albany he can do that, he’s a fast one,” Ter- Stakes around two turns on the main ranova said. “A race like the Wood- track after a second in the Cab Callo- ward could be in our sights. A lot of way division of the New York Stallion these good handicap horses are run- Series Stakes on the grass. He’s only ning this weekend, so I don’t know ventured outside state-bred company what will come back in there, even once, finishing sixth in the Grade 3 though it’s a mile and a quarter. He’s Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park. bred to do it and can turn it on and Terranova chalked that effort, shut if off whenever you want.” which he called “average,” to running A half hour after winning the Mor- at night. He and wife Tonja put Fun- rissey, Terranova celebrated again ny Guy on the shelf after that, giving when Section M Stable won its first him the winter off before aiming at a race at Saratoga after Adios Amigos 4-year-old campaign. The coronavirus pandemic shelved Continued On Page 34

Saturday, August 1, 2020 The Saratoga Special 33 sprinting with her and it seems to have worked out very well.” Recap – The changes worked well in She’s Continued from page 33 My Type’s first start since cutting back and she finished second in the drew in off the also-eligible list to take Lady Shipman Stakes. Friday she did the finale. Second in his last two starts one better, winning the $100,000 and running in a state-bred $40,000 Coronation Cup, at the expense of maiden claimer, the 4-year-old Adios the filly who topped her in the prior Charlie gelding won by a neck under feature at Belmont Park and five other Javier Castellano. 3-year-old fillies. She’s My Type, a homebred for the All Clement, all the time Head family and racing in Ghislaine Christophe Clement ran She’s My Head’s and black colors, Type four times at Gulfstream Park overcame a 2-length deficit in deep this winter and each time around stretch to win by a half-length from two turns – three times at a mile and Miss J McKay under jockey Joel Ro- once at 7 1/2 furlongs. She fared well, sario. The daughter of Dunkerque is a winning her debut and then the Gin- half-sister to Tour To Paris, winner of ger Brew Stakes before close efforts the Group 2 Prix du Gros-Chene go- in back-to-back stakes as spring ap- ing 5 furlongs on the straight course NYRA Photo proached. at Deauville May 31. She’s My Type rallies to win Friday’s Coronation Cup. The French-bred daughter of The Coronation Cup was the 10th Dunkerque still hadn’t reached her win at the meet for the Clement-Ro- was watching the race live and lives for the Head family before he came potential in Clement’s mind so he did sario trainer-jockey team, and per- in the Bahamas. This was a great to the U.S. in the late 1980s. He lat- some homework, saw a sibling reach- haps more importantly one Saratoga’s birthday gift. He’s an amazing man. I er returned to his native France and ing his potential at shorter trips and leading trainer wanted for his mentor. worked for him and he has helped me worked for before re- cut the filly back in distance. “This filly was bred and belongs to so much throughout my career. I am turning to America for good in the “Her brother won a Group 2 in Mr. and Mrs. Alec Head,” Clement so happy to be able to win a stake for early 1990s. France a few months ago going 5 said. “He has been a leading trainer, him on his birthday.” furlongs,” Clement said. “That was leading owner and leading breeder in The son of a trainer who grew Continued On Page 35 one of the reasons we went back to France. He’s 96 years old today. He up in the business, Clement worked

34 The Saratoga Special Saturday, August 1, 2020 fact that they’re running well. But let’s be very humble about it. The Recap – way things change quickly, it’s racing. Continued from page 34 That’s normal.” Classic Lady, a 5-year-old Jim- • Ian Wilkes sent out his third my Creed mare making her second winner from just five starters when start of 2020, helped keep the Clem- Deborah Wilson’s Sursum Corda won ent barn clicking with a victory over the third, a 1 3/8-mile maiden special fellow state-breds in the inaugural weight on the grass. The 3-year-old $85,000 Dayatthespa at 1 1/16 miles daughter of Constitution got up in the on the grass. Second by a nose to the final jump to edge pacesetter Prairie Chad Brown-trained state-bred fe- . Wilkes won his first race the male turf champion Fifty Five in the second day of the meet with Counter Mount Vernon July 2 at Belmont, Offer and added a second last Sunday Classic Lady won by a neck over with Witez. His other starters finished the Brown-trained War Canoe in the second and fourth. Dayatthespa. • Trainers Eduardo Jones, Saffie Classic Lady gave Clement his 11th Joseph Jr. and Derek Ryan won their win at the meet and joined 2020 Sara- first races of the meet Friday. Jones toga stakes winners Decorated Invad- lit up the toteboard with the high- er, Speaktomeofsummer and Fresco. est-priced winner of the day when “She’s run twice for us and run Vincero won the second, a $16,000 well twice,” Clement said. “It’s ex- claimer at 6 furlongs, and paid $53. citing. We’ve got more races coming He also gave jockey David Cohen up. … Let’s keep going and try to win his first win of the meet. Joseph won some more. We just wake up in the the fourth with Unholy Alliance and morning and it’s business as usual.” Ryan took the fifth with Imincomu- nicado. • Orlando Noda continued his hot start with a pair of victories Wednes- Tod Marks Clement starts week hot in ‘Spa’ day, winning the fourth with First First Line defeats Hometown to start a double for trainer Orlando Noda. Clement stood on the midpoint of Line at 12-1 and eighth with Danny the turn near his barn on the Okla- California at 2-1. He’s won three of homa Training Track and watched 11 starts with two seconds and two a large set train Thursday morning, thirds heading into today’s Whitney Are you a stakes-winning owner? about 12 hours removed from win- Day card. Noda entered two for to- Have nationally recognized artist ning his fourth stakes of the meet, and day – Vintage Hollywood in the sixth took congratulations in stride while and Mystery Bank in the eighth. off to his best Saratoga start to date. “It’s a fun thing at the moment. • Al Stall Jr. improved to 2-for-4 They’ve been running very well,” at the meet when Columbine Stable’s Clement said. “I’ve been coming to first-time starter Zero To Sixty won Saratoga for 28 years, 1992 was my the finale Wednesday, a 5 1/2-furlong first year. I know how tough it is to maiden on the grass for fillies and win here and I’m really enjoying the mares.

Memorialize your victory with an original painting Join the owners of Vekoma, Rushing Fall and , who recently had their horses painted. Pricing $8,500 - $15,000 Call or text Michael Geraghty at (301) 602-4385 Tod Marks Online Print Gallery www. I PAINT CHAMPIONS .com Zero To Sixty zooms to victory in Wednesday’s 10th for trainer Al Stall Jr.

Saturday, August 1, 2020 The Saratoga Special 35 The aratoga

Saratoga’s Daily Racing Newspaper

Founded in 2001, The Saratoga Special has covered plenty of great horses and people and we’ll bring you some highlights during our 20th season. Here we go back to 2001, our first season, when Pompeii won the Personal Ensign for owner Robert Clay, trainer John Kimmel and jockey Richard Migliore. Jack Whittaker was there, one of the few people not in tears as the daughter of made her last start for the connections after a sale to WinStar Farm and trainer Elliott Walden.

August 25, 2001. Hello, Goodbye. Pompeii captures Person- al Ensign in her final start for Kimmel barn. By Sean Clancy.

The highest of highs and the lowest of lows. And all the variations in between. Pompeii supplied the on Fri- day by winning the Personal Ensign Handicap over Beautiful Pleasure. After the race, owner/breeder Robert Clay looked like he just gave away his child, trainer John Kimmel couldn’t de- cide if he should laugh or cry, and assistant Loretta Lusteg wiped tears from her eyes as she sponged down Pompeii after the race. That’s what happens when a tough little filly wins her first Grade 1 and is taken after Pompeii. scheduled to leave the next morning. Clay sold the daughter of Broad Brush The Personal Ensign was her eighth to WinStar Farm on the day of entries. She ran in both their names, in Clay’s victory in 16 starts. She’s never missed a check. Her silks and in all their minds. worst race of her life was when she finished second in her second career Clay and WinStar’s Kenny Trout stood next to each other after the race start. See why they were crying? waiting to do an interview with Jack Whittaker. Migliore settled her in a perfect stalking position just outside Under The “It never gets dull,” Whittaker said to nobody. Small talk was tough. Rich- Rug and a few lengths off the slow pace of Beautiful Pleasure. Around the last ard Migliore was a few feet away in Pompeii’s green and yellow silks for the turn, Pompeii was the only one with a chance of catching the Eclipse Award last time. Clay looked like he was sleepwalking. winner. “It’s really a tough day for me, she’s a homebred,” Clay said. “It’s a really Much improved on her previous two starts, Beautiful Pleasure came into the bittersweet day watching her come down the stretch but I’m in the business stretch on her right lead which propelled her farther out into the center than and sometimes you have to tear your emotions away from a business decision. usual. It was all the advantage Pompeii needed as she gunned through the giant A little like (handing over a child). I have a sister and we’ll bring another one avenue and opened up on Beautiful Pleasure. She held on by a little more than up here. We’re thrilled she won but…I wish I still had half of her anyway but a length. that’s the way it goes.” Continued On Page 37 Clay was stoic. So was Kimmel. Even Lusteg did her best. They must have 36 The Saratoga Special Saturday, August 1, 2020 Best of – Continued from page 36 Photos were taken, interviews were conducted and emotions were checked – hard. Pompeii and Lusteg walked home together for the last time. Two hours later, the Kimmel barn was going about their business like any other Grade 1-win- ning night. The trainer put away the scope that just said she was clean, Pompeii dove into her hay net in the corner stall, and a round of “Only after Grade The aratoga 1s” Moet Chandon was served. They watched the replay of the race on the news and tried not to think Saratoga’s Daily Racing Newspaper about the emotional side of racing. A lot of “it’s a Tod Marks Pompeii wins the 2001 Personal Ensign. business” answers were being thrown around. Un- derstandably, for sure. Not truly believed, though. “She’s consistent and she’s shown tremendous dages for the last time and her Kimmel feed tub was “The gambit of emotions can run from the highs courage. It’s nice to be around those kind of horses about to go up for the last time. to the lows in a matter of moments,” Kimmel said. that improve with age. Here’s a filly that worked “In this game you have to temper your emotions “It takes me back to the (1997) Go For Wand when real hard all winter and got to the top of the group a bit,” the trainer said. “It’s real sad to see her go, Hidden Lake won. Here you are thrilled with emo- she’s a nice filly. But I’ve been around long enough in New York. I said, ‘Robert, she’s a nice filly but tions, my horses run one-two in the race and I look to see them come and go. That’s the part of the if we have any chance of doing anything big this up the stretch and I don’t see the filly coming back. game that’s hard to take sometimes. I just hope for The next thing you see is Migliore taking the tack summer, let’s take her to Fair Hill (Training Center) the best for her and the connections.” off the filly and you don’t know what to think. You and kick her out, give her a good 60 days. They did At 9 Saturday morning, Elliott Walden will come go from being all excited to ‘Oh my God the filly a great job. Now here she comes in her third start over and pick up Pompeii from the corner stall. could be hurt.’ Today was maybe not as big a swing of the cycle and she wins a Grade 1 race. When you Devon Heights, a Mt. Livermore filly of Judd- in emotions but it certainly was a bittersweet kind make plans and they work out, it’s something you monte Farms ships up from Fair Hill and will be in of thing.” can reflect back on and say, ‘hey we probably did her old stall by noon. Pompeii continued to chomp hay while a couple the right thing.” of cases of beer were set down on the picnic table. Tomorrow, Kimmel won’t have to worry about • Pompeii made six starts for Walden and Win- Kimmel talked about the decisions that brought doing the right thing for Pompeii. He scoped her Star Farm, winning an allowance race at Churchill Pompeii to the Grade 1 victory. for the last time, she was done up in Kimmel’s ban- Downs in May 2002.

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Saturday, August 1, 2020 The Saratoga Special 37 theoutsiderail BY JOE CLANCY Happy Motoring Fast Car wasn’t fast. Heck, he wasn’t even Fast start as a prep – Fast Car won a $40,000 maiden Car for a while. His original name was Let’s Drive, claimer going a mile. Fourth and third in hurdle but owner Bob LaPenta decided to save that name starts in September and October, the Dell Ridge for another day – and another horse – since this one Farm-bred looked promising but not necessarily the wasn’t exactly showing much in the way of horse- second coming of Flatterer. power. After a winter break, and the cancelation of al- So the expensive yearling turned unraced 2-year- most the entire spring steeplechase calendar, Fast old (and 3-year-old) who couldn’t cut it got a new Car emerged in a 4-year-old maiden hurdle at Mid- name and, ultimately, a new career. dleburg, Va., June 13. Far back early on the rolling, Wednesday, he won at Saratoga – blazing to a 6 wide-open course, he raced greenly and disorga- 1/2-length win in a first-level allowance hurdle for nized and finished fifth of 10. Two weeks later, on LaPenta and trainer Jack Fisher. LaPenta’s racing a friendlier-to-beginners course at Great Meadow, manager John Panagot explained a day full of texts he won – charging from 12 lengths back to score by from his boss, who was watching from home in a half-length. As Fisher put it, the horse was “ev- Connecticut. It might have been the first jump race Tod Marks erywhere” – talented and promising for sure, but he’d watched live, or live on video. Fast Car stays clear of traffic in his hurdle win Wednesday. immature and still learning. Before the race: “He looks really good in the and went back to Bridlewood.” The trainer added blinkers, off a win, for paddock, like he’s ready to run.” Wednesday’s race and Fast Car ran and jumped for After: “He blew them away.” Just like the early days, Thomas was impressed fun for jockey Mikey Mitchell. Rated in the back of A little while later: “What’s the goal?” with the horse but not necessarily convinced of his an eight-horse field early, he moved from seventh to The goal in 2017 when agent Steve Young spent ability. second on the final trip down the backside and then $625,000 on Let’s Drive, er Fast Car, at Keeneland “To be a good, good horse you have to tick off motored to leader Anticipating on the turn. Coming September was anything but steeplechasing. The a lot of boxes,” said Thomas, using a racing cli- dark bay son of Verrazano and the Unbridled’s Song ché about the potential of racehorses. “Sometimes off the turn, Fast Car took over and extended his mare Allegory looked the part and got a big catalog you’re around horses who tick only a couple boxes. lead over the final furlong go give Fisher a sweep of update when his half-brother Copper Bullet won He was a good-looking yearling, he had good an- the meet’s first three jump races. the Grade 2 Saratoga Special. The pedigree also in- gles, beautiful parts, a lot going for him. He just “It was awesome to watch,” said Panagot. “I cluded a slew of graded stakes form through Louve lacked speed, the type of speed you need to be effec- love how he made that move from last to second Royale, Loup Sauvage and others. tive on the flat.” and when he went over the last fence I thought he Fast Car went to Jonathan Thomas, who won Especially at the level LaPenta typically plays. could finish it off.” the 2018 Travers with LaPenta’s Catholic Boy, at Thomas, who grew up in Virginia, worked for Thomas watched it and smiled. Florida’s Bridlewood Farm to get started. From Fisher, rode jump races, and sold a few horses to “To me, his progression from Middleburg to there, he moved to Todd Pletcher’s base at Palm his old boss (including hurdle stakes winner Ice It), Gold Cup to Saratoga is quintessential Jack Fisher,” Beach Downs and started working, and working, pitched the idea of making Fast Car a steeplechaser. the trainer said. “He looked green, mentally he was and working. But not selling. Panagot listened, took it to LaPenta. always a little bit babyish, but he made a very posi- “It would have been April or May when he went The owner was game. Thomas called Fisher. And tive progression and he looks like a horse you hope there, and he just stayed there,” said Panagot, look- last summer, as an unraced 3-year-old gelding, Fast can be around for a few years. It goes to show you ing things up to refresh his memory. “He breezed Car became a farm boy in Maryland. these are multifaceted animals. Maybe we’re look- there until summer, which means he wasn’t really Fisher targeted some 3-year-old hurdle races in ing up someday and he’s had a nice, long career.” progressing and then he had some 2-year-old things the fall, but went to Colonial Downs for one turf Now that’s a goal. Let’s drive.

Tod Marks photo

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Saturday, August 1, 2020 The Saratoga Special 39 cupofcoffee Shopping Spree BY SEAN CLANCY

I went down the rabbit hole. Yup, I admit it. With Tod Marks “Hey, buddy, how about a road trip to Saratoga to a sound mind and not enough time, under my own bring these wheels back to Virginia. You buy. I’ll volition and without emotion, I did it. The Marylou drive.” He liked the idea. Whitney Collection. I knew I shouldn’t. But I did It was just last summer when we looked up from it anyway. Like John Muir walking in the woods, our desks halfway through a Friday card to learn reality drifted, days turned into nights, nights into that Marylou Whitney had died. Socialite, grande days. Time meant nothing. dame, queen of Saratoga, pick a description, the An email announcing the charity auction came 93-year-old was an icon. One of the last pillars of a through a few weeks ago, I didn’t think much about long-lost era was gone. We were taken aback, like it. Then another one came. And maybe another. I everyone, just a moment to stop and reflect, take made the first move, registering my credit card to note. show some unity, just in case I saw something cool, Nearly a year later, Whitney’s widower, John if I had time. Oh, what the hell, take a look, make Hendrickson, devised the idea of auctioning 1,500 the first move, just for fun. And then I started scroll- of Whitney’s belongings, with all proceeds donat- ing. And scrolling. And scrolling. Tapping on items ed to Saratoga Hospital to build a medical facili- to “watch,” bidding on a couple of can’t-miss, im- ty for backstretch workers in Saratoga. In 2005, pulse buys, cursing when the Lego love purse was for a pair of Givenchy sunglasses. But the dresses, the Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T.) sold out. I envisioned the women in my life in ball whoa. Short or long? White or black. Cocktail or launched a clinic from a small trailer on the back- gowns and costume jewelry, in sun hats and pearl ballgown? Room for hips? Length from bosom to stretch, offering primary care, disease management chokers, draped in Hermes scarves and C’est Sim- waist? Too much leg? I’ve done this before – Berg- and prevention and other services. In 2009, B.E.S.T. one capes, while minimizing the window on my lap- dorf’s online, Intermix in the West Village – and joined forces with Saratoga Hospital, continuing to top every time Annie walked in my office. most have wound up at the local thrift shop or Hel- improve the lives of the men and women who keep “What are you doing?” en’s closet in the Hamptons. But, it’s so enticing. I the show on the road. Along with Hendrickson, “Oh, just working away.” call for reinforcements. Whitney was a tireless advocate for the backstretch “Hey, what size shoe do you wear?” “Of all your friends, who has the best fashion workers, donating time, money and voice to the “What?” sense…?” cause. Now, her closet empties for the first and final “What size shoe do you wear?” A long conversation about the fashion tastes of time, all to help those workers. “Eight.” her friends and family (including Helen) ensued. With a charitable bent and a natural curiosity, I “Dress?” Nothing was decided, one was too preppy, one too continued to stroll and bid, imagining I was going “Six…” funky, one old-fashioned, one too bold, one too toe to toe, bid for bid with Caroline Cardone and “How about in a hat?” southern, one too rococo (whatever the hell that is). Cate Johnson, Beverly Steinman and Barbara Ban- “Check my helmet in the barn.” I had no backup. But, alas, I continued scrolling, ke, Linda Rice and Lilly Phipps. As of right now, I’m “How about my sister, Sheila…my mom…Aunt researching the history of an Arnold Scassi yellow the winning bidder of an Ashlyn’d clutch and I’m Vicki…your cousin Helen…” cocktail dress, the origin of an Orient & Flume stalking and skulking the rest of the trove. “Whatttttt?” peach glass paperweight, the value of a Via belted So, take a look, secure a piece of racing history, a It went on like this for a few days until I had mea- coat with scarf and filled a shopping cart of other shard of Saratoga royalty, pass down an heirloom, surements down like an Italian tailor at Barney’s. items worn by racing’s first lady. And one driven by finish your Christmas list in July, support the back- But, still, I knew I was out of my depth. Shoes, hats, her. I sent a link to Whitney’s green convertible Jag- stretch workers. You have until 11:59 tonight. Just purses, trinkets, yeah, I can handle, I quickly offered uar to my vintage-car collecting friend Chris Am- lay off the Sesto Meucci sneakers, the Givenchy sun- $100 for a pair of Sesto Meucci sneakers and $210 brose. XJS. V12. 1992, 36,000 miles. Leather seats. glasses and the Ashlyn’d clutch.

40 The Saratoga Special Saturday, August 1, 2020 Never miss The Special Join TheSign Special’s up for our2020 email Readers list Club For $35 you get some sweet swag, an early email & a sense of belonging in a difficult time.

Saturday, August 1, 2020 The Saratoga Special 41 Speaking Up. At age 7, Commentator won his second Whitney in 2008, trouncing 10 others for trainer , jockey John Velazquez and owner Tracy Farmer. The Big Picture The New York-bred also won the Saratoga fixture in 2005 and was third in 2009. with Tod Marks Now 19, he is retired at Old Friends at Cabin Creek in Greenfield Center near Saratoga.

42 The Saratoga Special Saturday, August 1, 2020